Site Mobile Navigation

Representative de la Garza of Texas to Quit

Representative E. (Kika) de la Garza, a conservative Democrat known for his support of farm programs and the North American Free Trade Agreement, said today that he would not seek re-election in 1996, after 30 years in Congress.

Mr. de la Garza, 68, who has represented the rural, largely impoverished Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, said he decided to retire because "it was just time."

There are many more things I would like to do," he said, "and I want to do them while I am in good health and young enough."

Thirty House members have now decided to retire or seek higher office in 1996. Twenty-one are Democrats and 9 are Republicans. Seven members of Texas's 30-member House delegation are not seeking re-election; 6 of them are Democrats.

Mr. de la Garza, whose tenure is among the longest of any current House member, was a staunch defender of farm programs during his 14 years as head of the Agriculture Committee. He lost his post when Republicans gained control of Congress last year.

We are continually improving the quality of our text archives. Please send feedback, error reports,
and suggestions to archive_feedback@nytimes.com.

A version of this article appears in print on December 19, 1995, on Page B00011 of the National edition with the headline: Representative de la Garza of Texas to Quit. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe